Changes to NZ forestry earthworks training standards

A New Zealand Certificate in Infrastructure Works, comprising Forestry earthworks unit standards, has just been launched.  The qualification, approved by the NZ Qualifications Authority is specifically for Earthworks Excavator Operators, as to date, there has been no suitable Level 3 qualification available for them.

It is the product of a forest industry working group which consulted widely with contractors and forest management companies and has facilitated delivery for Tairawhiti iwi training provider, Turanga Ararau.

Learner and assessment resources have been prepared by the working group that developed the qualification, which was driven by Matariki Forests and Manulife Investment Management.

Intended outcomes for the qualification include;

• Providing qualifications and skill recognition for Level 3 Machine (Excavator) Operators employed in forestry earthworks
• Enabling industry ownership of the system
• Building training and assessing capability within earthworks crews
• Adding attraction for recruitment
• Demonstrating forest industry commitment to improving skills and knowledge among operators, particularly in erosion, sediment and woody debris management
• Providing options for employees to develop as trainers and assessors.

The programme content provides a solid background for candidates, in the importance of job prescriptions for earthworks, compaction and impacts of erosion and sedimentation. This supports the primary practical skills in excavator operating to form roads, tracks, landings and culverts.

These core skills in the qualification are supported by several companion micro-credentials, such as maintenance, rehabilitation of tracks and landings, pavement, deadman and geotextile installation. The ‘knowledge-based’ standards are ideally suited to be delivered either on-job in one-to-one training or in classroom workshops for small groups. The practical standards can be achieved on job where candidates can train and be assessed by in-house trainers and assessors, or contract assessors.

At this stage a tracked, hydraulic excavator is the machine of choice for the qualification award. This because of its’ versatility and ability to meet all the tasks within the standards selected. This doesn’t preclude development of a qualification later, specifically for bulldozer or other machine operators.

There is flexibility in entry points to the programme, which recognises the demographic of our earthworks workforce.

The ideal state is to encourage people to sign up for the full qualification. Some experienced workers may already hold some of the standards, or can be easily assessed because of their experience and relative skills and knowledge. Alternatively, new entrants can start their learner programme with any of the knowledge-based units and progress at their own pace as opportunity permits. The programme builds on existing in-house training capability and is dependent on assessors being developed within crews or contract assessment of candidates.

As host provider, Turanga Ararau will receive support and direction from an industry advisory group and be responsible for the operating system which holds learner and assessment resources and manages trainers and assessors.

There is a first principle of encouraging training before attempting assessments, although there will be cases where assessment can be used early to recognise current competence in well-experienced individuals. Trainer/Assessor development will attune role holders to training and learning concepts whilst encouraging quality assessment.

This project development has been underwritten by Matariki Forests and Manulife Investment Management but moving forward, it will be user-pays and operate without TEC funding. Turanga Ararau will operate a schedule of fees and charges for sign-ups, resources and NZQA reporting.

Opportunity exists for employers, potential trainers and assessors to make contact to engage with this system designed to recognise learners and improve performance in forestry earthworks.

Contacts:

• Henry Mulligan; Forestry Manager, Turanga Ararau, henry@ta.org.nz,  (+64) 21 123 8069. 
• Greg Steele; Education and Training Contractor, greg.steele@xtra.co.nz, (+64) 274 317 211. 
• Fraser Field; Quality Manager, Matariki Forests, fraser.field@matarikiforests.co.nz, (+64) 27 463 5117
• Malcolm Worboys, Engineering Forester, Manulife Investment Management, MWorboys@manulife.com, (+64) 27 245 9614.

Source & image credit: Greg Steele